‘Who do you think you are?’ – Newcastle must play in their iconic black and white kit against Sunderland, wearing anything else is a disgrace

Newcastle United have been told to wear their traditional black and white stripes for the Wear-Tyne derby rather than their blue away kit.

The club posted on X on Friday morning with an image of Jacob Ramsey wearing the club’s blue third kit, suggesting that is what they’ll wear.

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It is a decision that is unlikely to go down well with Toon fans, who have waited nine years for a match against Sunderland in the Premier League.

The last time these two met in the top-flight was in the 2015/16 season, at the end of which, the Magpies were relegated.

They then won the Championship under Rafael Benitez, while the Black Cats went down.

Newcastle have been in the Premier League since, but Sunderland have been as low as League One.

And with a much-anticipated clash, the expectation was the two teams would line up in their traditional colours.

But that doesn’t seem to be the case, and Rory Jennings was left fuming.

Speaking on Thank Football It’s Friday with Ade Oladipo, he said: “I don’t really understand that. I don’t understand that.

“I think it’s a disgrace.

“I’ve just put this fixture into Google just to have a look, and I am currently looking at a fight going on in a Newcastle 3-3 draw with Sunderland at Roker Park.

“It is a grainy image, but what you can see are the iconic kits. That is what I am looking at. Why would you play with this?

“When you buy a club, you are getting into the history. You are custodians of one of the institutions of this country, and Newcastle United and Sunderland are proud footballing institutions with wonderful illustrious history.

“I can’t understand the rational of buying a football club, and saying’, I’ve got a better idea’.

“Who do you think you are?”

Going against tradition

The first Wear-Tyne derby in the Premier League since 2015, when Sunderland won 3-0, should have both teams in their home kits.

There have been some iconic moments for both sides wearing their away kits in these matches.

But overall, when you think of Newcastle versus Sunderland, you think of black and white taking on red and white.

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You think of Alan Shearer and Shay Given taking on the likes of Kevin Phillips and Lee Cattermole.

And you think of them wearing the club’s home kits.

This is one of the fiercest rivalries in English football, and though the atmosphere will be red hot no matter what, it is somewhat diluted if either side are not in their iconic colours.

Finally

Once Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League every fan from both sets of teams looked at when this game would be.

They both knew it would be near the end of the first half of the campaign, and it is hard to imagine many thought the two sides would be separated by just a point.

This is because over the last few seasons, Newcastle have been in the Champions League regularly and ended their long trophy drought with Carabao Cup success last year.

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Meanwhile, the Black Cats are newly promoted, but after an excellent start to the campaign, it is they who are ahead in the table.

Regis Le Bris’ men are aggressive and combative, with Granit Xhaka looking like one of the signings of the season.

These are of course hallmarks of Eddie Howe‘s Newcastle, with the Toon known for pressing teams relentlessly and playing direct, attacking football.

But they have shown signs of vulnerability this year, losing 11 points from winning positions – no Premier League side has lost more.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have claimed 12 points from losing positions, which is the most in the top-flight.

By contrast, Newcastle are yet to pick up any points from losing positions and Sunderland have dropped just four.

So, after all the hype, we are at a point where these are very evenly matched, and the nerves on Tyneside and Wearside will be jangling.

But the rest of the football world will be eagerly tuning in for a rivalry that consumes a region and always will do.